Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Neeb Karori Baba, was a highly revered Indian saint and mystic known for his simple teachings, unconditional love, and miraculous spiritual powers. Born as Lakshmi Narayan Sharma around 1900 in Akbarpur, Uttar Pradesh, Neem Karoli Baba gained global recognition for his deep wisdom and influence on spiritual seekers from India and abroad.
Life and Teachings
Neem Karoli Baba’s life was devoted to serving humanity and spreading the message of love, compassion, and devotion to God. He was a devotee of Lord Hanuman, and his ashrams prominently feature Hanuman temples.
Key Teachings:
- Love and Serve Others: He emphasized selfless service and unconditional love as paths to spiritual growth.
- Faith and Surrender: He taught his followers to trust in the divine plan and surrender their egos.
- Simplicity: Neem Karoli Baba lived a simple life, demonstrating that true spirituality lies in humility and kindness.
Global Influence
Neem Karoli Baba became famous among Western spiritual seekers during the 1960s and 1970s. Many notable personalities were profoundly impacted by his teachings, including:
- Ram Dass (Richard Alpert): An American spiritual teacher who chronicled his transformative experiences with Neem Karoli Baba in the book Be Here Now.
- Steve Jobs: The co-founder of Apple Inc. visited his Kainchi Dham Ashram in search of spiritual enlightenment.
- Mark Zuckerberg: The Facebook CEO visited the ashram on the advice of Steve Jobs during a challenging period in his life.
Miracles and Mystical Powers
Neem Karoli Baba is often associated with miraculous events, including healing the sick, controlling the elements, and appearing in multiple places simultaneously. However, he always downplayed these powers, focusing instead on guiding people toward spiritual growth.
Ashrams and Legacy
- Kainchi Dham Ashram (Uttarakhand): The most famous ashram, nestled in the Kumaon hills, attracts thousands of devotees every year.
- Vrindavan Ashram (Uttar Pradesh): This is where Neem Karoli Baba attained Mahasamadhi on September 11, 1973.
- Other ashrams are located across India and the United States.
Even after his physical departure, Neem Karoli Baba’s teachings and legacy continue to inspire millions of devotees worldwide. His message of love and selflessness resonates with people across all walks of life.
Popular Quotes by Neem Karoli Baba
- “Love everyone. Serve everyone. Remember God.”
- “The best service you can do is to keep your thoughts on God. Keep God in mind every minute.”
- “You can leave me. I won’t leave you. Once I catch hold of you, I won’t let go.”
Neem Karoli Baba remains a guiding light for those seeking inner peace, spiritual wisdom, and a deeper connection to the divine.
